Pessary.



No. 705,392. Patented July 22, I902.

D. B.-DE WALTOFF.

PESSABY.

(Application filed Jan. 5, 1901.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

THE Mums PETERS o, PHOTO-L UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

DAYVE BORIS DE WALTOFF, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PESSARY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,392, dated July 22, 1902.

Application filed January 5, 1901. Serial No. 42,205.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAYVE BORIS DE WAL- TOFF, of the borough of Brooklyn, city and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pessaries, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device adapted for various uses in the medicinal and surgical arts, and particularly to a device having a form and character which renders the same applicable in connection with the treatment of uterine disorders and ailments.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device suitable for the purposes set forth which is simple in form and construction, light in weight, and of such a nature as to facilitate its sterilization and aseptic cleansing.

The drawings accompanying this specifica tion illustrate a surgical appliance embodying my present invention.

In the-drawings, Figure 1 is an edge view of such an appliance. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a central cross-section of the appliance, and Fig. 4 is a similar section of a modification.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all figures.

In general the appliance comprises a bowlshaped or concave body portion B, having an outwardly-flaring annular lip 2, curving inwardly on the exterior of the body portion toward the exterior surface thereof. Such construction provides a bearing portion for the appliance having the form of a ring or annulus which presents no edge or angular surface, and if the curve of the annulus is made comparatively full, as shown, the tendencyto an irritation of the fleshy or other parts when worm is minimized. The edge of the inwardly-extending part of the lip is best connected throughout the circle of its length with the exterior of the concave portion B, as this will exclude all material from the inner space of the annulus, in which undesirable matter might otherwise collect and from which it might be difficult to dislodge it.

Constructed in the manner set forth the appliance presents an unbroken surface throughout, with no crevices or recesses present for the 10 at of foreign material.

(No model.)

Hence it is readily cleausible and peculiarly adapted to be kept in an aseptic condition.

With the object of facilitating the aseptic cleansing and sterilization of the appliance and for the additional purpose of giving rigidity to the same, I preferably make the same of some material having the qualities of strength and lightness and appropriate to the uses to which the device is to be applied. Forinstance,it maybe constructed of some resistant 1netalsuch as gold, silver, or aluminium-of sufficient thickness to give rigidity to the structure, but not unduly thick to renderitunnecessarilyheavy. It may,forinplated. In bringing the material into the proper shape to form the appliance any suitable process may be utilized. It may be stampedout or spun up in any desired manner. It may likewise be made as an integral whole or in two or moreparts, which are afterward secured together.

When applied to uterine uses, the exterior diameter of the annular bearing portion is such as to expand the walls of the vagina somewhat when inserted into place, in which position it is retained by the natural muscular contraction of the walls against the rounding surface of the lip. The crosssection shape also of the concave portion Bis advantageously made to conform to the cervix uteri in any particular case where the appliance is used to remedy disorders thereof.

The appliance may be used as a tampon to suppress uterine hemorrhage. When introduced into position in contact with the cervix uteri, it acts through the arrestof the flow of blood to bring about a coagulation of the same and to also set up muscular contractions having a natural tendency to stop the flow. It may also be used when imperforate, as shown in Fig. 3, for the application of medicines in cases of diseased os' or cervix uteri, particularly as the device is designed to be made of a material unacted upon by liquids, as pointedout above. The medicine held in the concave portion 13 maybe applied directly to the parts and retained in this position by the natural contractions of the vaginal walls.

As shown in Fig. 4, the concave portion B stance, be formed out of silver and goldis provided with a number of perforations b. This construction particularly fits it for use as a pessary to support a prolapsed uterus and retain the same in its natural position. The perforations 1) form outlets for the flow from the uterine canal, which may be caught on an absorbent placed within the vaginal canal if it is desired to prevent its reabsorption by the vaginal walls or its coming into contact with the external genital organs.

As above indicated, a prominent object of my invention is to produce a device which while presenting broad rounded bearing-surfaces shall be at once light and strong and free from angles, openings, orcrevices liable in use to afiord a lodgment for foreign or undesirable matters. The requisite breadth of bearing-surface is afforded by giving to the circumferential orannular portion of the device a full or swelling curve in cross-section, and lightness is secured by making this annular rim or circumferential portion hollow and of thin metal or material, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be observed that both as to its transverse section and as an entirety the annular or circumferential rim or swell is circular, and hence is in the best form in which a given quantity of material can be put to withstand pressure from without. By combining these features I am enabled to produce an exceedingly stiff or rigid structure with a minimum of weight. As an incident I reduce the amount of metal or other material necessary to be used, and as it is proposed to make the article of such metals as gold or of silver with or without a plating of gold this point is important. Finally, by joining the inturned edges of the annular rim to the body of the device, or, in other words, by making the rim without any opening into its interior space and without any depression, crevice, or recess, I preclude the lodgment of any matters the presence of which, particularly in places comparatively or wholly inaccessible, might and ordinarily would cause danger of bloodpoisoning in subsequent use.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A surgical appliance, comprising a rigid, central cup-shaped body portion surrounded by a rigid, closed, hollow rim of substantially circular cross-section, joining the body in an easy curve on one face and at an obtuse angle on the opposite face, and of such crosssection as to afford a broad circumferential bearing-surface.

2. A surgical appliance, comprising a rigid, central cup-shaped body portion surrounded by a rigid, closed, hollow rim of substantially circular cross-section, joining the body portion in an easy curve, the central cup-shaped portion being perforated and the hollow rim being of such crosssection as to afford a broad bearing-surface, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAI'VE BORIS DE WALTOFF.

\Vitnesses:

PIERSON L. WELLS, OSCAR ABRAMs. 

